TWI438716B - Image capture and buffering in a virtual world - Google Patents

Description

Image capture and buffering in the virtual world

Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of an immersive visual environment. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to techniques for identifying photographing opportunities and intercepting images of events that are occurring within the virtual world.

The virtual world is a simulated environment in which users can live and interact with virtual objects and places in the virtual world. Users can also interact with each other via avatars. The avatar usually provides a graphical representation of the individual within the virtual world environment. The avatar is typically presented to other users as a two- or three-dimensional graphical representation similar to a human individual. Often, a virtual world allows multiple users to enter a virtual environment and interact with each other. The virtual world can be said to provide an immersive environment because it usually appears to be similar to the real world, and objects tend to follow rules about gravity, topography, motion, physics, and kinematics. Of course, the virtual world can suspend or change these rules and provide other fictional or imaginary environments. Users typically use the following to communicate with each other via their avatars: text messages sent between avatars, instant voice communications, gestures displayed by avatars, symbols visible in the virtual world, and the like.

Some virtual worlds are described as being persistent. The enduring world provides an immersive environment that is always available and where events continue to occur without regard to the existence of a given avatar (for example, a fantasy setting for setting up a role-playing game, or including land, buildings, cities, and economic systems) Virtual world). Thus, unlike the more conventional online games or multi-user environments, as the user enters (and exits) the virtual world, the virtual world persists and the episodes and events continue to unfold. The virtual environment is rendered as an image on the display screen, and a virtual environment allows the user to record events that occur within the virtual environment.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for capturing image data depicting a virtual world. The method can generally include: monitoring a plurality of measurements for a user interacting with the virtual world; calculating a current value of a camera opportunity score from the plurality of measurements; and comparing the photo opportunity scores to the The current value is a predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the current value of the chance score exceeds the predetermined threshold, one set of image data of the virtual world is intercepted.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a computer readable storage medium containing a program that, when executed, performs operations for capturing image data depicting a virtual world. The operation may generally include: monitoring a plurality of measurement results about a user interacting with the virtual world; calculating a current value of a camera opportunity score from the plurality of measurement results; and comparing the current value of the camera opportunity score with A predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the current value of the chance score exceeds the predetermined threshold, a set of image data of the virtual world is intercepted.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a system having a processor and a memory containing the program, the program being configured, when executed by the processor, to perform operations for capturing image data depicting a virtual world. The operation generally includes: monitoring a plurality of measurement results about a user interacting with the virtual world; calculating a current value of a camera opportunity score from the plurality of measurement results; and comparing the current value of the camera opportunity score with A predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the current value of the chance score exceeds the predetermined threshold, a set of image data of the virtual world is intercepted.

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It is to be understood, however, that the appended claims are in the

The virtual world provides a simulated environment in which the user can be represented by an avatar. You can use the avatar to "walk" through places in the virtual world (such as virtual streets, buildings, rooms, etc.). At the same time, in a given location, the avatar can also be used to interact with objects or other avatars present in a given location. For example, an avatar may be able to approach and interact with another avatar by communicating, conducting business transactions, participating in entertainment, and the like. Thus, although in different physical locations, multiple users may exist in the same virtual venue and interact with each other using their respective avatars.

In the virtual world, as in the real world, it is often necessary to capture moments and memories as pictures. Just as in the real world, many interactions in the virtual world provide potential "photographing opportunities." For example, a user may be gathering with a friend or on a virtual vacation. Although it is quite common to obtain a screen capture, the user may not realize that the camera opportunity has occurred until the moment has elapsed. In addition, the screen capture screen only captures a single camera angle, that is, the camera angle of the user viewport, which may not result in the image desired by the user.

Although the user may be able to record their entire interaction with the virtual world and select individual images for storage, this method of creating an image will follow the path of the camera through the environment and additionally require substantial storage of video. In addition, few users want to read this huge number of pictures with difficulty. Thus, the user may wish to automatically identify and save the image at the appropriate time when it interacts with the virtual environment.

Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for detecting good camera opportunities that may occur within a virtual environment and in response to capturing images from a perspective that is not limited to the user's viewport. In one embodiment, a plurality of physiological and virtual world parameters are measured to determine when to capture an image of a user interacting with the virtual environment. In order to improve the quality of the image, these parameters can be individually weighted by a factor specified by the user. In another embodiment, the captured image is stored in a temporary buffer space of a fixed size, thereby potentially replacing the older image. The user can view the contents of the buffer and select the desired image to move to the permanent gallery. The user's image selection can be used to further improve the quality of future images.

In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specifically described embodiments. In fact, any combination of the following features and elements (whether or not related to different embodiments) is contemplated to implement and practice the invention. Moreover, in various embodiments, the present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art. However, while the embodiments of the present invention may achieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or advantages over the prior art, it is not a limitation of the invention. Therefore, the following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are merely illustrative, and are not to be considered as an element or limitation of the scope of the appended claims. In the meantime, the reference to the "invention" is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, and is not to be construed as an element or limitation of the scope of the appended claims.

One embodiment of the present invention is embodied as a program product for use with a computer system. The program of the program product defines the functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein) and can be included on a variety of computer readable storage media. Illustrative computer readable storage media includes, but is not limited to: (i) a non-writable storage medium on which information is permanently stored (eg, a read-only memory device within a computer, such as may be read by a CD-ROM drive) CD-ROM disc; (ii) a writable storage medium (eg, a floppy disk drive or a floppy disk in a hard disk drive) on which variable information is stored. Such computer readable storage media are embodiments of the invention when carrying computer readable instructions for the functions of the present invention. Other media include communication media that transfer information to a computer, such as via a computer or telephone network (including a wireless communication network). The latter embodiment specifically includes transmitting information to the Internet and other networks/from the Internet and other networks for transmitting information. This communication medium is an embodiment of the invention when carrying computer readable instructions for the functions of the present invention. Broadly, computer readable storage media and communication media may be referred to herein as computer readable media.

In general, a routine executed to carry out embodiments of the present invention can be part of a working system or a particular application, component, program, module, article, or sequence of instructions. The computer program of the present invention typically includes numerous instructions that will be translated from a native computer into a machine readable format and thus translated into executable instructions. Also, the program includes variables and data structures that reside locally in the program or can be found in the memory or on the storage device. In addition, the various programs described below can be identified based on the application, which are implemented in a particular embodiment of the invention for that application. However, it should be understood that any of the following specific program nomenclatures are used for convenience only, and thus the invention should not be limited to use in any particular application identified by this nomenclature and/or implicitly.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a client server view of a virtual world computing environment 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the virtual world computing environment 100 includes a client computer 120, a network 160, and a server system 140. In one embodiment, the computer system illustrated in environment 100 can include existing computer systems, such as desktop computers, server computers, laptops, tablets, and the like. However, the computing environment 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely an example of a computing environment. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using other environments regardless of whether the computer system is a complex multi-user computing system, such as a PC cluster connected by a high speed network, a single user workstation, or a lack of non-volatile storage. Network appliances. In addition, the software application illustrated in FIG. 1 and described herein can be used with computer software executing on existing computer systems (eg, desktop computers, server computers, laptops, tablets, and the like). The application is implemented. However, the software applications described herein are not limited to any currently existing computing environment or programming language, and may be adapted to utilize the new computing systems as new computing systems become available.

As shown, each client computer 120 includes a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) that is stored from the client memory 130 and the client via a bus (not shown). The device 123 obtains instructions and materials. The CPU is a programmable logic device that performs all instruction, logic, and math processing in the computer. The client storage 123 stores applications and materials for use by the client computer 120. The client storage 123 includes a hard disk drive, a flash memory device, an optical medium, and the like. Client computer 120 is operatively coupled to network 160. The client memory 130 includes an operating system (OS) 131 and a virtual world client 132. The operating system 131 is software for managing the operation of the client computer 120. Examples of OS 131 include UNIX, one version of the Microsoft Windows® operating system, and a distribution of the Linux® operating system. (Note: Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the US and other countries.)

In one embodiment, the virtual world client 132 provides a software program that allows the user to connect to the virtual world server application 146 on the server 140 and perform various user actions upon connection. Such actions may include exploring virtual places, interacting with other avatars, and interacting with virtual objects. Additionally, the virtual world client 132 can be configured to generate and display a virtual representation of the user, commonly referred to as an avatar, within an immersive environment. The user's avatar is typically visible to other users in the virtual world, and the user can view the avatars representing other users. The virtual world client 132 can also be configured to generate an immersive environment and display it to the user and transfer the user's desired actions to the virtual world server application 146. This display can include from the virtual world at any given time The content of the user's line of sight. For the user, the display may present a third person perspective, which means a view from a different location than the user's avatar and which may include images of the user's avatar within the virtual world. Alternatively, the display may present a first person perspective, which means that the virtual world is seen through a view that represents the user's avatar's eyes.

As shown, the client memory 130 also includes an image capture engine 134. In one embodiment, the image capture engine 134 can provide a software application that is configured to detect camera opportunities and, in response, capture images of the virtual environment at appropriate times. The image capture engine 134 can capture an image of the user's avatar or an image of the avatar "seeing" at an appropriate time. That is, the camera angle of view is not limited to the viewing area of the user. Additionally, in an embodiment, the image capture engine 134 can intercept three-dimensional scene material describing each object depicted in the virtual environment at the appropriate time. Doing so allows a two-dimensional image of a given moment in the virtual world to be created from any desired perspective. Once intercepted, the image can be stored in the temporary buffer space 125. In an embodiment, the size of the buffer can be adjusted by the user. In order to select the time at which a suitable moment may have occurred (or is about to occur), the image capture engine 134 may retrieve the instant measurement result 133 from the virtual world client 132. These immediate measurements include any measurable physiological or virtual world parameters. This may include, for example, changes to the virtual world client 132 as exposed by the virtual world server application 146 near the user avatar within the virtual world. For example, suppose that the user and the friends are wandering in the virtual world, at which time the fireworks suddenly light up the evening sky, so that the users adjust their view of the virtual world to be relatively concentrated in the same place. The instantaneous measurement results may also include physiological parameters measured, for example, via input device 180 and virtual reality interaction device 190. Continuing with the example, the user can smile into the microphone while seeing the fireworks in the virtual world. Other examples of measurable physiological parameters include: pulse, eye movement, brain activity, body temperature, grip pressure on the mouse, mouse movement pattern, typing speed and mode, typing pressure, facial features, perspiration, and head mobile.

In an embodiment, the image capture engine 134 can be configured to maintain a database 127 for detecting an average measurement of whether a photo opportunity has occurred. The instantaneous measurement results for a given parameter can be evaluated against historical averages to determine if a photo opportunity has occurred. For example, if a group of users are speaking to each other, the average volume of the voice can be sampled, and if a user raises their voice above a specified threshold, the image capture engine 134 can capture the image and store it. In the buffer space 125. In one embodiment, the specified threshold may be weighted according to a user-specified weighting factor and stored as part of the user setting 124.

In addition, the measured results obtained can be obtained by providing the user with the ability to select an image from the buffer 125 to move to the permanent gallery 126. When the image is moved to the permanent gallery 126, a set of context measurements can be stored in the measurement results database 127. For example, if the user has a history of selecting an image to acquire when the microphone laughs in a large amount, the image capture engine 134 can respond by increasing the weighting factor associated with the microphone laugh measurement result. Similarly, if the user has a history of selecting images from a certain angle and distance, the image capture engine 134 may prefer to capture images from similar or identical angles and distances.

The user can view the virtual world using a display device 170 such as an LCD or CRT monitor display. And the user can interact with the virtual world client 132 using the input device 180 (eg, a keyboard and a mouse). Additionally, in an embodiment, a user may interact with virtual world client 132 and virtual world server application 146 using a variety of virtual reality interaction devices 190. For example, a user can wear a set of virtual reality goggles with a screen display for each lens. Additionally, the goggles can be equipped with motion sensors that cause the view of the virtual world presented to the user to move based on the movement of the individual's head. As another example, a user can wear a pair of gloves that are configured to translate the movement and movement of the user's hand into an avatar movement within the virtual reality environment. Of course, embodiments of the invention are not limited to such examples, and those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the invention can be adapted for use with a variety of devices that are configured to present a virtual world to use. The user's movements, movements, or other actions are translated into actions that are performed by the avatar representing the user within the virtual world.

As shown, the server system 140 includes a CPU 142 that obtains commands and data from the memory 144 and the storage 143 via the bus 141. Processor 142 can be any processor that is adapted to support the methods of the present invention. Memory 144 is any memory large enough to retain the necessary program and data structure. The memory 144 can be one or a combination of memory devices including: random access memory, non-volatile or spare memory (eg, programmable or flash memory, read-only memory) Wait). In addition, the memory 144 and the storage 143 can be considered to be included in the server 140. The memory is physically located elsewhere (eg, on another computer coupled to the server 140 via the bus bar 141). Server system 140 is operatively coupled to network 160, which generally represents any type of data communication network. Thus, network 160 can represent both a regional network and a wide area network including the Internet.

The embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative, and not limiting of the invention. Other embodiments are broadly contemplated. For example, the image capture engine 134, the user settings 124, the buffer space 125, the gallery 126, and the database of average and learned measurements are not required to reside on the client as shown in FIG. 1, and Either or all may alternatively reside on the server system 140. In another example, the functionality of image capture engine 134 can be incorporated into virtual world client 132.

2A illustrates a user display 200 showing a viewing area presented to a user using a third person perspective of a user interacting with the virtual world, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the primary user (i.e., the user viewing the user display 200) is represented by the avatar 201 and just catches up with the wave 202 when surfing the game with the first and second avatars 203. In addition, the viewport shows the avatar 201 on the apex of the wave 202 from behind, and the two avatars 203 are far apart and are obscured by the wave portion. In this example, it is assumed that the two avatars 203 are controlled by a user who is a friend of the primary user. A context similar to the context depicted in Figure 2A presents a narrow chance window that captures memorable images of such avatars that interact with one another in a virtual environment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the primary user controlling the avatar 201 may not recognize the opportunity until too late. In addition, even if the main user will capture the screenshot, the viewport only The back side of the avatar 201 of the primary user, the clipped head of the two avatars 203, and the back side of the wave 202 are displayed, resulting in a less than ideal screen capture.

FIG. 2B illustrates a graphical user interface 250 for viewing the contents of buffer 125 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Illustratively, interface 250 displays an image depicted in the context of Figure 2A. In this example, it is assumed that the image in FIG. 2B is acquired by the image capture engine 134 of the display 200 at a time when the camera opportunity score exceeds a specified threshold. More specifically, the cumulative deviation of a set of measurement results is due to the proximity of the avatar 201 and the two avatars 203, the user avatar smiles after catching the wave 202, the two avatars 203 smile toward the avatar 201, and the microphone laughs. The image may have been acquired when the volume of the sound exceeds the specified threshold. Of course, specific measurements and thresholds can be tailored to suit a given user's preferences.

Illustratively, the four images shown in Figure 2B include a side view 252 showing the shape of a beautiful wave along with the pose of the avatar; a front view 253 showing the emotional performance of all three avatars; a top view 254 showing the surroundings Water; and portrait view 255, which intercepts the facial expression of the avatar 201. Because the image capture engine 134 captures images 252, 253, 254, and 255 from a variety of angles, such images can provide the primary user with a much better memory of this event in the virtual world (as with the hasty interception shown in Figure 2A). The screenshot is compared with the screen). Additionally, the primary user (i.e., the user controlling the avatar 201) may select one of operations 256, such as one of: saving one of the four images to the permanent gallery 126 (via the column) Mark selection 251 access), or delete unwanted images from buffer 125 This frees up additional space for the image captured by image capture engine 134.

FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical user interface 300 for configuring user settings 124 of image capture engine 134 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a set of universal settings 301 can be used to specify the desired buffer size for storing images automatically captured on behalf of the user and to initiate or deactivate startup measurement results collection and automatic image capture.

In an embodiment, the user may also customize a set of weighting factors 303 associated with the list of measurement categories 302. Illustratively, a set of sliders can be used to increase (or decrease) a given weight to any particular factor. As shown, the value of the weighting factor 303 is in the range of 0 to 10 depending on the respective associated measurement categories and having the greatest impact. In this example, the list of displayed measurement categories 302 includes: the number of neighboring friends, the strength of the friend relationship, the type of activity being performed (eg, the user's first skydiving?), the magnitude of the activity, the microphone prompt, including "Emotional icons" in instant messaging, "emotional icons" received in instant messaging, typing speed and mode, keywords (for example, "this joke/interesting", "LOL"), verbal dialogue Summary of content and viewport orientation (for example, are a large number of users looking at the same person or object?). The particular measurement category displayed to the user can be customized by clicking the button 304. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that the measurement categories can be tailored to include any measurable physiological or virtual world parameters (eg, the magnitude of scene changes in the user's viewport, etc.). A set of buttons 305 allows the user to apply, save or cancel changes, or restore preset settings.

4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 400 for improving the selection of images captured by a user in a virtual environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates a method for learning the perspective and contextual measurement results of a user preference for selecting an image that is captured when the user interacts with elements of the virtual environment. For purposes of illustration, method 400 is described in conjunction with the system of FIG. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any system configured to perform the steps of method 400 in any order is within the scope of the present invention.

As shown, method 400 begins with step 410, at which a command to view the contents of the buffer for the automatically captured image is received. For example, the user can click on the column 251 to view the buffer 125. At step 420, the user can specify a selection of images. For example, the user can select image 253 in interface 250 of FIG. 2B. At step 430, the user can specify that the image selected at step 420 should be saved to the permanent gallery. For example, the user can click the button 256 to save the selected image 253 to the permanent gallery.

At step 440, image capture engine 134 can move the selected image from buffer 125 to permanent gallery 126. For example, the selected image 253 is removed from the buffer and stored in a permanent gallery that can be accessed by clicking on the column 251 to view the contents of the gallery.

At step 450, the image capture engine 134 can determine a set of perspectives and/or contextual measurements from images that are moved to the permanent gallery. For example, the captured image may be tagged by providing metadata about the dimensional coordinates of the virtual environment. In an embodiment, the list may include at least eight of the viewing volume that is sufficient to represent the viewing volume relative to the location of the user's avatar The 3D coordinate, which represents the viewing angle of the captured image. In addition, the contextual measurement results provide metadata describing the context of the virtual environment as it is being captured. Using the image 253 of FIG. 2B as an example, the number of neighboring friends is two, and that the avatars of friends in the virtual environment are looking at the avatar of the primary user. Of course, the contextual metadata intercepted with the image can be tailored to suit the needs of a particular situation. After step 450, method 400 terminates.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 500 for determining a good photo opportunity based on user preferences, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of illustration, method 500 is described in conjunction with the system of FIG. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any system configured to perform the steps of method 500 in any order is within the scope of the present invention.

As shown, method 500 begins with step 510, at which image capture engine 134 determines whether the measurement result collection is transitioning to active. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the option button 301 allows the user to toggle the triggering result collection to be active. If in effect, then at step 520, immediate physiological and virtual world measurements can be collected. For example, the number of friends with the user and the amount of laughter on the microphone and other measurements can be recorded. At step 530, the instantaneous measurements collected during the user interaction with the virtual environment can be compared to the average maintained in the database. Deviations from current measurements and historical averages can be collected to identify when concerns or unusual events occur within the virtual environment. For example, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the primary user (represented by avatar 201) is interacting with two friends (represented by avatar 203). For this example, suppose this is more common than the primary user in a virtual environment. The average number of interacting friends is one standard deviation. In addition, it is assumed that the amount of laughter on the microphone is 1.5 standard deviations larger than the average microphone laugh.

At step 540, the individual deviations may be scaled using a weighting factor 303 and averaged to determine a weighted average of the individual deviations. The weighted average provides a cumulative deviation score (ie, a camera opportunity score) that can be used to determine if a concern or unusual event is likely to occur within the virtual environment. For example, suppose the user specifies that the weight given to the deviation of the volume level or laughter picked up on the microphone is given by the deviation of the number of friends with whom the user is in the virtual environment. Double the weight. In this example, the cumulative deviation score based on the hypothesis deviations listed above would be 1.33 standard deviations.

At step 550, the camera opportunity score and the threshold score determined in step 540 can be compared. In one embodiment, the threshold score is set to the score of the lowest score image in buffer 125. That is, if the camera opportunity score exceeds the lowest score of any image in the buffer, this may be a suitable moment to capture the image of the virtual environment. If the buffer is empty, the threshold can be set to a minimum value (or simply set to 0.0). If the camera opportunity score is greater than the threshold score (step 560), the image capture engine 134 may intercept several images of the virtual environment (step 570). At step 570, the average measurement results in the database 126 are updated using the instant measurements collected in step 520. At step 580, method 500 terminates.

The embodiments described above are intended to be illustrative, and not limiting of the invention. Other embodiments are broadly contemplated. For example, the comparison step 530 and calculation step 540 need not calculate a weighted average as shown in Figure 5, and can be replaced by any suitable statistical calculation. For example, the difference in measurement results can be monitored to predict upcoming camera opportunities (eg, where the measurement results begin to change rapidly). This method allows the image to be captured before the photo opportunity is expected to ensure that the image at the right moment is not missed in the fast changing context.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 600 for intercepting images in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of illustration, method 600 is described in conjunction with the system of FIG. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any system configured to perform the steps of method 600 in any order is within the scope of the present invention.

As shown, method 600 begins with step 610, at which image capture engine 134 determines if buffer 125 is full. That is, whether the size of the buffer content exceeds the maximum buffer size specified by the user. At step 620, if the buffer is full, the image capture engine 134 deletes the lowest score image from the buffer 125 to make the space available for the new image. At step 630, the viewing angle is set and adjusted based on the learned measurements contained in the database 126, such as a side view or front view of the avatar of the primary user from a suitable distance. Alternatively, image capture engine 134 can intercept a collection of three-dimensional scene material describing each object depicted in the virtual environment. Doing so allows you to capture 3D images or generate 2D images from any desired angle of view. At step 640, the image is captured from the perspective set in step 630 and the captured image is stored in buffer 125. At step 650, the measurement results taken along with the image (eg, information about the contextual metadata (eg, how many avatars are present, what the avatar is looking at, the camera or viewport position, volume level) Etc)) is stored in the buffer 125. After step 650, method 600 terminates.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, the invention may be

100‧‧‧Virtual World Computing Environment

120‧‧‧Customer computer

123‧‧‧Client storage

124‧‧‧User settings

125‧‧‧ Temporary buffer space

126‧‧‧Permanent Gallery

127‧‧‧Database

130‧‧‧User memory

131‧‧‧Operating system

132‧‧‧Virtual World Client

133‧‧‧ Instant measurement results

134‧‧‧Image Capture Engine

140‧‧‧Server System

141‧‧ ‧ busbar

142‧‧‧Central Processing Unit (CPU)

143‧‧‧Storage

144‧‧‧ memory

146‧‧‧Virtual World Server Application

160‧‧‧Network

170‧‧‧Display devices

180‧‧‧Input device

190‧‧‧Virtual reality interactive device

200‧‧‧User display

201‧‧‧ avatar

202‧‧‧ waves

203‧‧‧Incarnation

250‧‧‧ graphical user interface

251‧‧‧ column

252‧‧‧ side view

253‧‧‧ front view

254‧‧‧Top view

255‧‧ portrait view

256‧‧‧ operation

300‧‧‧ graphical user interface

301‧‧‧Common settings

302‧‧‧Measurement category

303‧‧‧ Weighting factor

304‧‧‧ button

305‧‧‧ button

1 is a block diagram illustrating a client server view of a virtual world computing environment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2A illustrates a participating virtual reality displayed from a third party perspective of a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2B illustrates a graphical user interface screen showing the contents of an image buffer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 illustrates a graphical user interface screen displaying configuration options in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for improving the quality of images captured by a user in a virtual environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating A flowchart of a method for a user to identify a camera opportunity within a virtual environment; and FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for capturing an image of a virtual environment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

201. . . Incarnation

203. . . Incarnation

250. . . Graphical user interface

251. . . Column label

252. . . Side view

253. . . Front view

254. . . Top view

255. . . Portrait view

256. . . operating

Claims (21)

A method for capturing image data depicting a virtual world, the method comprising: monitoring a plurality of measurements on a user interacting with the virtual world; calculating one of a camera opportunity score from the plurality of measurements a current value; comparing the current value of the camera opportunity score with a predetermined threshold; and intercepting a set of image data of the virtual world when determining that the current value of the opportunity score exceeds the predetermined threshold. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of measurements is weighted by a user configurable weighting value. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the captured image data of the virtual world in a buffer, wherein the buffer is configured to store the complex array of image data and one corresponding to each set of image data Take a photo opportunity to score. The method of claim 3, further comprising: receiving a selection of one of the group of image data from the buffer; and copying the selected image data to a permanent photo gallery. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of measurement results include at least one of: a number of neighboring friends, a relationship strength of one of the friends, one of the types of activities being performed, one of the activities, and a microphone A summary of the prompts, characters used in an instant message exchange, a typing speed, a typing pattern, a keyword used in an instant message exchange, conversation content, and view orientation. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of image data comprises a plurality of images intercepting an image of the virtual world, and each of the images is captured from a different camera position. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of image data comprises a set of three-dimensional scene data describing each object depicted in the virtual environment when the set of image data is captured. A computer readable storage medium containing a program that, when executed, performs an operation for capturing image data depicting a virtual world, the operation comprising: monitoring a plurality of users of a user interacting with the virtual world a result of the measurement; calculating a current value of one of the camera opportunity scores from the plurality of measurement results; comparing the current value of the camera opportunity score with a predetermined threshold; and determining that the current value of the opportunity score exceeds the predetermined value At the limit, a set of image data of the virtual world is intercepted. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of measurements is weighted by a user configurable weighting value. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operation further comprises storing the captured image data of the virtual world in a buffer, wherein the buffer is configured to store the complex array of image data and corresponding to each A photo opportunity score for a set of image data. The computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the operation further comprises: receiving a selection of one of the group of image data from the buffer; and copying the selected image data to a permanent photo gallery . The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the plurality of measurement results comprise at least one of: a number of neighboring friends, a relationship strength of a friend, a type of activity being performed, an activity A summary of amplitude, microphone prompts, characters used in an instant message exchange, a typing speed, a typing pattern, a keyword used in an instant message exchange, conversation content, and view orientation. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the set of image data comprises a plurality of images that capture an image of the virtual world, and each of the images is captured from a different camera position. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the set of image data comprises a set of three dimensional scene data describing each object depicted in the virtual environment when the set of image data is captured. A data processing system comprising: a processor; and a memory containing a program configured to perform an operation for capturing image data depicting a virtual world while being executed by the processor, The operation includes: monitoring a plurality of measurement results about a user interacting with the virtual world; calculating a current value of one of the camera opportunity scores from the plurality of measurement results; comparing the current value of the camera opportunity score with a current value Predetermining a threshold; and intercepting a set of image data of the virtual world when determining that the current value of the opportunity score exceeds the predetermined threshold. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of measurements is weighted by a user configurable weighting value. The system of claim 15, wherein the operation further comprises storing the captured image data of the virtual world in a buffer, wherein the buffer is configured to store the complex array of image data and corresponding to each set of image data A photo opportunity to score. The system of claim 17, wherein the operation further comprises: receiving a selection of one of the sets of image data from the buffer; and copying the selected set of image data to a permanent photo gallery. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of measurement results include at least one of: a number of neighboring friends, a relationship strength of one of the friends, one of the types of activities being performed, one of the activities, and a microphone A summary of the prompts, characters used in an instant message exchange, a typing speed, a typing pattern, a keyword used in an instant message exchange, conversation content, and view orientation. The system of claim 15, wherein the set of image data comprises a plurality of images that capture an image of the virtual world, and each of the images is captured from a different camera position. The system of claim 15, wherein the set of image data comprises a set of three-dimensional scene data describing each object depicted in the virtual environment when the set of image data is captured.